380SL sagging in the rear

[R107-1981]

Hi--

I have a 1981 380SL with about 31,000 original miles on it. The rear end sags. About three years ago, I installed some of those steel knuckles into the rear spring coils, and it seemed to help. Now, it looks like it is sagging again.


I have read that the 380SL has poor rear springs that eventually sag and replacing them is the only thing that will fix them.

I have also read that Mercedes springs never need to be replaced.

I have also read that the rear sag is really just a front end lift due to gas charged shocks on the front (stock shocks).

I have also read that all that is required is to replace the rubber shims on top of the rear spring coils. If the rubber shims need to be replaced, how do you know which thickness to use--the 9.5, the 14, or the 19.5mm?


How do I figure out which way I should go?

Thanks in advance for your help.

Joe

[450sler]

On my 450 I had the sagging rear also...new springs fixed my problem. Not real hard to do IMO but I cheated a little. I cut the stops off so the a-arms would drop a bit more...didn't need a spring compressor to get them out. I welded the stops back on after the job was done. Doing it this way I didn't need to deal with a "loaded" spring at all.

MarkG

[meltedpanda]

as has been mentioned ( a lot) loaded springs can kill you, be carefull of R/R

[daidnik]

The triangle shaped metal piece in the middle of the Differential Mount should not be sitting in the bottom of the 'stirrup' that mounts to the chassis.

If that middle piece becomes detached from the stirrup outside and drops, then the rear trailing arms go up and the rear end goes down . . . a lot.

Part is pretty cheap and replacement is pretty easy excepting any seized bolt surprises.

[RickM]

Here, check this out.....http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?t=71225&highlight=springs